Heckler: Grover Norquist ‘scum’

Americans for Tax Reform Chairman Grover Norquist came to New Jersey Avenue on Monday to talk about the intersection of immigration reform and overhauling the criminal justice system. But his reputation preceded him.

While Norquist was talking outside with reporters after the event, a passer-by called him “scum.”

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“We need more taxes,” the man yelled at Norquist.

“Good,” Norquist yelled back. “Then pay ‘em, you little hypocrite.”

Inside the event, Norquist took repeated shots at right-wing talk show hosts, arguing increased support from the business community and from Christian groups would be enough for comprehensive immigration reform to overcome the radio-fueled opposition that sunk a 2007 bill.

“If you’re a Republican congressman or senator, who is your constituency?” Norquist said at the event, which was hosted by Human Rights First. “Radio talk show hosts? Or the guys who go to church and the guys who have jobs?”

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), part of the Gang of Eight working on a bipartisan immigration bill, has made wooing conservative talk show hosts like Mark Levin and Rush Limbaugh, a priority. Norquist, without mentioning Rubio, predicted the right-wing backlash would be less severe this time around.

“The number of radio talk show hosts on the annoying side of that issue has decreased in numbers and in tone,” he said.

The event was dedicated to reforming the immigration detention system, which critics charge has become bloated and unfair. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement detains over 400,00 immigrants at any one time, at a cost of $2 billion. Norquist said reforming the system could help advance two conservative goals: shrinking government by rolling back mass incarceration and allowing a fairer immigration system that would boost the economy.

Norquist has long backed immigration reform, including a pathway to citizenship. More recently, he has worked with the group Right On Crime to convince conservative state legislators to roll back the prison system and save taxpayer money.

Norquist said conservatives would have to lead on the issue, since Democrats fear being labeled weak on crime.

“People still remember Willie Horton and furloughs and stuff like that,” he said.